title: Cryptococcosis in cats: ABCD guidelines on prevention and management.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cryptococcosis is worldwide the most common systemic fungal disease in cats; it is caused by the Cryptococcus neoformans- Cryptococcus gattii species complex, which includes eight genotypes and some subtypes (strains) with varying geographical distribution, pathogenicity and antimicrobial susceptibility. Cats acquire the infection from a contaminated environment. The prognosis is favourable in most cases, provided a diagnosis is obtained sufficiently early and prolonged treatment is maintained.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Basidiospores are the infectious propagules of Cryptococcus species as they penetrate the respiratory system and induce primary infection. Asymptomatic colonisation of the respiratory tract is more common than clinical disease. Avian guanos, particularly pigeon droppings, offer favourable conditions for the reproduction of C neoformans. Both Cryptococcus species are associated with decaying vegetation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cryptococcosis caused by C neoformans or C gattii is indistinguishable clinically. The disease can present in nasal, central nervous system (which can derive from the nasal form or occur independently), cutaneous and systemic forms.
  
  
  METHODS
  An easy and reliable test for cryptococcosis diagnosis is antigen detection in body fluids. Only isolation and polymerase chain reaction allow identification of the species genotype.
  
  
  METHODS
  Amphotericin B, ketoconazole, fluconazole and itraconazole have all been used to treat cats. Surgical excision of any nodules in the skin, nasal or oral mucosa assists recovery. Continued treatment is recommended until the antigen test is negative.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Efficient preventive measures have not been demonstrated. Vaccines are not available.
authors.affiliation: European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases. pennipet@unime.it
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Pennisi
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lloret
authors.forename: Lluis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ferrer
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Addie
authors.forename: Sándor
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Belák
authors.forename: Corine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boucraut-Baralon
authors.forename: Herman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Egberink
authors.forename: Tadeusz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Frymus
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gruffydd-Jones
authors.forename: Margaret J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hosie
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lutz
authors.forename: Fulvio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marsilio
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Möstl
authors.forename: Alan D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Radford
authors.forename: Etienne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Thiry
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Truyen
authors.forename: Marian C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Horzinek
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002415:Cats; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents